Pro-active Strategy is Needed to Solve N Korea Nuclear Problem

Strategic patience is useful to deal with proliferation concern over North Korea nuclear weapon and a pro-active strategy is needed to take into account both changing internal dynamics of DPPK and likelihood that Pyongyang is not inclined to give up its nuclear weapons, Korea Society President Evans Revere said Tuesday in Northeast Asia Forum in Seoul, Korea.

Revere gave a presentation at the forum under the theme of “North Korean Nuclear Problem and Northeast Asian Security Architecture”, co-hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and Ilmin International Relations Institute, Korea University.

About 100 participants were invited to the forum in order to listen to debate and presentations by renowned figures including Evans Revere, Professor Kim Sung-han at Korea University, Hitoshi Tanka, former deputy minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Wang Jisi, professor of international studies at Peking University.

Revere pointed out that North Korea has recently shifted its rhetoric to being positive, but it probably does not reflect fundamental policy change.

For instance, diplomats and analysts described the North's recent conciliatory rhetoric as a desperate attempt to ease the financial and economic isolation it has been suffering since last summer, when the United Nations imposed broad nuclear sanctions. Most countries have observed the sanctions more strictly than expected.

“Pyongyang’s goal is to retain nuclear capability, bargain away some elements of program, and ultimately seek recognition of de facto nuclear status,” he claimed.

The former acting US Assistant Secretary of State asked not to confuse “background music” with “core themes” and form with substance.

Revere urged to look seriously at a range of future scenarios on the Korean Peninsula and try to begin to shape events through even closer cooperation and coordination between and among U.S., China, South Korea, and Japan.

Korean counterpart panel also highlighted the importance on close cooperation among the concerned parties to lead change in the North.

“Perception and policy gaps with regard to North Korea policy and peace regime-building on the Korean peninsula have hindered coordination efforts and progress,” claimed Professor Kim, acting director of IIRI.

He suggested that trilateral cooperative mechanism could potentially become fairly effective and governments should analyze various trilateral combinations.

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